So, the dog days of summer are almost upon us and if you have school-aged children, you may already be thinking about the Back to School rush.

Now is the perfect time to start thinking about your business and how you can take advantage of that rush, too.

Back to School Promos
Do you offer tutorials or seminars? Why not offer a special Back to School promotion? Take some time to come up with a special sale or deal for clients. Everyone is looking for a way to stretch their dollars, and exclusive deals are a way to keep customers coming back.

End of Summer Sales
What about those summer fashions, accessories or products? Take advantage of the season with an End of Summer Sale. It’s a great way to clear out old stock to make room for all the new things you will be introducing in the Fall.

Give Them Something To Talk About
Do you have a new book coming out? Or do you just want to pump up the exposure of your previous titles? Try tying your release to a new book release,popular show, or genre that is being talked about.

Be a Bit of a Tease
Now is also a great time to showcase your new Fall fashions, products, seminars and book releases. A short spotlight feature on your blog or in your customer newsletter is a great promotional idea, and is a great way to get people interested, even if you want to wait until September to give them the full feature.

People are still busy trying to live out the remaining days of Summer, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to promote your business. Offer a special teaser or preview event for your clients and customers, with a sneak peek that you will follow up with come September. It’s a great way to keep you & your business in their thoughts.

What Outstanding Ink Can Do
Not sure how to do this or where to begin? Here are a few ways I can help you:

It’s never too late to sign up for one of our Email Marketing Bundles. Individual, Seasonal, or Monthly, I will craft content-rich emails that you can send to your clients and customers

We can create a targeted Marketing Campaign for authors, artisans and other small business owners to help you keep your promotions on-track

Need some advice or want to find out how we can give you a head-start on the Fall and Winter seasons? Fill out our Service Request form and I will email you back with more details and ideas on how to hit the ground running come September!

Preparing these documents ahead of time makes it easier for you to put together a promotional package (whether you are mailing it or e-mailing it) to send to potential reviewers, interviewers, or even when you decide to send your manuscript out to potential editors or agents.

Here are a few ideas of what documents to include and ways to make sure you don’t just get the information across, but share your personality as well.

Bio/Profile
Every author needs to have a written profile, whether it’s 1 paragraph or enough to fill the inside flap of your book.

The length and style of your profile will differ depending on whether you’re using it on your website or if you are sending it to a potential editor or agent. With the latter, you may lean towards being more straightforward with your writing style, however the bio that you put on your website you can be a little more flexible with. Try infusing it with your own writing voice or writing and in a similar style to the genre you write in for a bio that will stand out from the masses.

Check out a few of the profiles I’ve written, in both a business style and a more creative style to see how you can bring your voice into your marketing materials.

Press Releases
The press release may seem a little old school in this digital age, but it is still a valuable tool to get the word out about your book launch, award, or other news related to your writing.

There are many opportunities for which you can write a press release – a new book; new event, appearance or book signing; updated website or new samples/excerpts to read; book sales or discounts. Use your imagination (but make sure what you are reporting is news and not just a way to get a little attention).

Again, while there is a specific style for the Press Release, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with it.

At Outstanding Ink, I have written quite a few Press Releases that have a little fun and are written with a more creative style while still keeping in mind that it is a business document that is used to announce news.

Book Blurbs/Cover Copy
Obviously, if you are promoting your latest book you want to include the back cover copy with any marketing material that you send out to bloggers or interviewers. It’s an easy way for them to feature you and your work and they can just copy & paste the content to their blog or website.

Although it might seem strange considering you just penned a 80,000+ word novel, sometimes, coming up with the cover copy can be the most difficult part to write.

One way to tackle that is to include it in the planning stages of writing your book. The text may change as you go from the initial idea through your first draft to the finished manuscript, but at least it allows you to get your basic idea on the page so you can focus on the core ideas of your book which will help you to sell it to both readers and reviewers.

Check out our Author Bundle, which offers a variety of different documents at a discounted rate or get in touch so I can help you figure out the direction you need to go to promote your writing in the best way.

Book Launch Marketing Material
Creating a few different pieces of marketing material focused around the launch of your book will help you to keep the buzz building long after launch day has come and gone.

Building up to the book launch with promos, blurbs, teasers, and excerpts are an excellent way to build buzz, but don’t forget to continue to promote your book in the weeks and months following its launch.

Collecting reviews, star ratings, blog features and other feedback from readers is built-in promotional material the you should send out to interested readers and bloggers to retain your book’s momentum and hopefully keep it rising up the best-seller chart.

If you need help compiling the information into a cohesive narrative, I can help you create compelling features that you can use to promote your book and keep the buzz going long after its launch.

Reviews and Press Clippings
Now that you’ve gathered some reviews or press clippings from online blogs or magazines, you need to put them to good use.

An interesting way to do that is to gather ones that have a similar message and create an e-mail blast or short feature for your newsletter.

Word-of-mouth is one of the strongest tools you can use to get new readers to pick up your book. By sending out newsletters or featuring feedback on your own website or blog, you are making it easy for new readers to find you and your work.

My Email and Website Marketing services can help you to take advantage of the feedback you’ve received, share it with your fans and help you find new ones.

Tying It Up
Ok, so you’re a writer and all you want to do is write, but your writing career is also a business.

That doesn’t mean your creativity has to get lost in boring business documents. Using unique strategies to sell your work and creating a targeted method to get in touch with potential readers, reviewers and fans, you can build a buzz about your writing that will carry you forward to your next novel…and the next one…and the next one!

]]>http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/why-writers-need-a-pr-package/feed/0The Importance of Consistent Marketinghttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/the-importance-of-consistent-marketing/
http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/the-importance-of-consistent-marketing/#commentsThu, 28 Feb 2013 08:20:40 +0000Outstanding Inkhttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/?p=417When you started thinking about branding your business, did your first thoughts turn to putting together a consistent look to all your marketing materials?

From your letterhead to your business cards and your website, having a consistent look across the board is the key to building your company’s image.

Having a consistent marketing schedule is equally as important. Keeping your name at the forefront of your customer’s mind can benefit your business in so many ways.

You should think of your marketing as an ongoing task, rather than a one-time thing. Sending out a newsletter once a year isn’t going to do much to keep customers interested. You need to give them a little nudge every now and then, and setting up a marketing schedule is just the ticket.

When to Market
Obviously, the big holidays are the perfect time to reach out to customers. Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day and beyond – each holiday can be a great time to touch base and let clients know what’s going on with you and your business.

It is also a good time to tie in any related products or services you offer. Gift packages, discounts and other promotional items can make great updates.

But what if you don’t sell anything holiday-related? Or you sell a service? Or you are an author or artist?

Be creative! Thinks of ways you can tie what you’re selling into a holiday. Here are a few ideas:

Authors – book release dates, March Break or Summer reading picks, special week-long promotions, World Book Day, National Poetry Month, Banned Books Week, or choose your favorite author and send out a promotion in his/her birthday!

Artists/Artisans – exhibit or event days, local Arts Appreciation weeks, birthdays or anniversaries of your favorite modern artist, or tie your marketing to a new exhibition at your local museum

It’s Not All About You
One important thing to remember is to make sure you add a personal touch to your marketing efforts. Customers are bombarded with ads every day, so by adding something unique to your newsletter or email marketing is a way to not only stand out, but hopefully engage your customers.

Show how what you sell can benefit them. Share the story of how you became inspired to do what you do. Invite them behind-the-scenes with a tutorial, tour or information in your creative process. It will give them insight into you and your business, and show that you care about them (and not just their wallets).

Newsletter & Email Marketing Bundles Make It Easy
At Outstanding Ink, I offer various Email and Website Marketing Bundles that can help you to set up a consistent marketing schedule.

Whether you are looking for an individual piece of writing, or want to put together a weekly, monthly, by-monthly or even yearly campaign, I can help you to decide what information will best engage your clients, customers, readers or fans.

Check out my Website and Email Marketing pages to see how I can help you to build a stronger relationship with your clients.

It’s All About Trust
By staying in touch with clients and customers, you start to build a relationship, but you have to be sure to nurture that relationship through ongoing contact.

With just a few periodic emails or newsletters, you can keep them updated, engaged, and build a sense of trust that they will remember when it comes time to make a buying decision.

Her catalog features cool clothing and accessories for kids that allow them to stand out in style, so I knew that I wanted to really play up the fashionista angle!

Here are a few samples of website content and the Trendy Bambino “About Us” copy I wrote.

ABOUT US

Lights, Camera, Fashion!

Trendy Bambino is a specially curated collection of affordable couture for kids. Your little one will be itching to “cat-walk”, toddle or crawl to every play date or family function in the stand-out fashions offered from this Toronto-based company.

What began as owner Candice Pirali’s own belief that the modern infant deserves to show off their style (even if they don’t know their binky from their blankie yet) has grown to a thriving, one-stop shop for unique fashions.

The Trendy Bambino approach to business offers the personal approach of an independent boutique with a carefully selected catalog and a convenient pick-up service for local shoppers. By sourcing items according to customer requests, Trendy Bambino also acts as a personal shopper of sorts, creating an extraordinary relationship with shoppers instead of simply selling to them.

At Trendy Bambino, kids will never be too stylish for their shirts, skirts, or any of the other one-of-a-kind outfits that won’t break your budget. Equally modern and kid-friendly, Trendy Bambino will allow your little one to make a fashionable first impression and leave all the other kids goo-gooing and gaa-gaaing with envy.

HOMEPAGE CONTENT
Has your search for cute, stylish clothes turned into a quest of epic proportions?

Trendy Bambino has come to the rescue! Fashion-hunting to uncover the latest one-of-a-kind treasures that won’t break your budget, Trendy Bambino is always hot on the trail of the latest in affordable kids couture.

Click here – and let the adventure begin!

]]>http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/trendy-bambino-website-marketing/feed/0Sugar Fire Jewellery – Company Profilehttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/sugarfire-jewellery-company-profile/
http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/sugarfire-jewellery-company-profile/#commentsFri, 18 Jan 2013 23:27:11 +0000Outstanding Inkhttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/?p=401When the owner of Sugar Fire Jewellery came to me, she was looking not only for product descriptions to organize her budding business, she also wanted a revamp on her Company Profile to reflect her growing business and to spice up the catalog she was preparing for potential wholesale accounts.

About Sugar Fire Jewellery

Capturing the vitality of nature in layers of shimmering glass, Sugar Fire Jewellery’s line of artful adornment is infused with magic and the skillful designs of Erin McLachlan.

Named for the process by which layers of powdered glass are fired and melted onto metal at 1500°F, Sugar Fire Jewellery’s dazzling pieces paint a picture of the fanciful world around us.

With her Nature, Retro, Mod, Classic lines, Erin enhances basic shapes and motifs to create pieces that celebrate the wonder of nature, capturing the awe-inspiring artistry of the natural world and illustrating its beauty through color, pattern and the brilliant glint of glass.

About the Designer

Working as an ecologist at an engineering firm, Toronto designer Erin McLachlan desired a more creative outlet to counterbalance the scientific nature of her work.

Yet, by combining the science of enameling with her creative flair, Erin is able to fuse these two sides of her life together, resulting in a signature style that is skillfully imaginative.

Inspired by the beauty of nature, Erin infuses many pieces with natural motifs that help to remind people of the beauty in nature and enables them to feel a closer connection with the environment.

“I like to think that people can wear these pieces and they can serve as a daily reminder of how beautiful and worthy of respect our planet really is.”

Each handcrafted piece reveals Erin’s love of creating and reflects not only her creative spirit, but also mirrors back the uniqueness and inner glow of each individual wearer, allowing every one to truly dazzle.

]]>http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/sugarfire-jewellery-company-profile/feed/0Adorabelle Pettiskirts – Product Copyhttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/adorabelle-product-copy/
http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/adorabelle-product-copy/#commentsFri, 18 Jan 2013 23:15:08 +0000Outstanding Inkhttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/?p=397I worked with Adorabelle Pettiskirts on a variety of their sweet pettiskirts. When owner Candice had a website redesign done, she wanted to refresh her copy.

It was a challenge to come up with so many different product descriptions, since the difference between some of the designs was simply the size (one for newborns, another for toddlers).

bBut I feel I captured the essence of her brand, and managed to craft copy that would entice Mom’s to treat their daughters to the unique designs Adorabelle had to offer!
Here are a few samples of what I came up with!

Solid Pink Pettiskirt
She’ll shimmer and shine when she slips into these pretty puffs of pale pink. Dreamy and light, this splendid candy-colored delight will make her spirit sparkle.

Pink Newborn Pettiskirt
A bestseller for proud Moms and Dads who want to show off their little darling, your precious little girl will shine as bright as a star in pretty puffs of pale pink.

Solid Raspberry Pink Pettiskirt
Sweet lush raspberry ruffles are the ultimate indulgence for your spirited young lady. She’ll primp and preen like a dancing queen in this lighthearted little frock.

Raspberry Pink Newborn Pettiskirt
Nothing could be sweeter than gorgeous raspberry pink ruffles. You’ll be blushing with pride when introducing your beautiful new baby in wispy layers of berry-hued chiffon.

Turquoise Blue Newborn Pettiskirt
Bright and gentle turquoise is the perfect color to welcome your newborn into the world. A calming hue, this Turquoise Blue Pettiskirt has a sweet feminine feel.

Solid Turquoise Blue Pettiskirt
Fresh and fun, this Turquoise Pettiskirt looks positively tropical when paired with crisp white or has a glitter-dusted festive feel when accented with silver.

Solid Brown Pettiskirt
Earthy brown frills add a subtle spice to your daughter’s Fall fashions. Ultra-stylish and enriching, this warm-toned pettiskirt is a heartfelt display of her love for fashion.

A delicate cascade of the softest, high-quality chiffon, your beautiful baby girl will be breathtaking, inspiring oohs and awws from everyone she meets.

The perfect skirt for all of your newborn’s firsts. Girly…Trendy…Chic!

]]>http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/adorabelle-product-copy/feed/0Free Tree Rewards – Email Marketinghttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/free-tree-rewards-email-marketing-2/
http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/free-tree-rewards-email-marketing-2/#commentsWed, 16 Jan 2013 18:39:56 +0000Outstanding Inkhttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/?p=383Free Tree Rewards came to me with a unique spin on Customer Loyalty Rewards programs, and I was happy to come up with a few pitch letters to help spread the word about their launch.

They were introducing a cool new concept in online shopping, where small online boutiques share virtual shelf-space and allow shoppers to use their accumulated Customer Loyalty points to shop at any of the stores (not just the one they earned their points at).

I came up with information for potential shoppers, as well as boutique owners who would hopefully sign up to the program and to press contacts, who would hopefully help spread the word about this cool new way of shopping!

GENERAL PITCH TO SHOPPERS
Does the thought of another shopping rewards program cause your eyes to glaze over? An exciting new approach to the Customer Loyalty Program, Free Tree Rewards puts the power of buying back in your hands.

With the spirit of an artisans market, Free Tree Rewards provides a virtually connected marketplace where customers can shop, earn and redeem their reward points.

Do you have accumulated shopping rewards points that are gathering dust because you have no interest in shopping at that same store yet again? Would you be more inclined to use your points if you had a better selection of shops you could redeem them in?

With points that never expire, unlimited earning opportunities, and a higher percentage of points than other rewards programs, shoppers are given the freedom to redeem their earned loyalty points in any of the participating small online boutiques.

Free Tree Rewards is not just another Customer Loyalty program. Our inspired method will get you excited about shopping again. To find out how Free Tree Rewards is set to breathe new life into the online shopping experience, please contact me for a Free Tree Rewards information package.

]]>http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/free-tree-rewards-email-marketing-2/feed/0Free Tree Rewards – Website Marketinghttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/free-tree-rewards-website-marketing/
http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/free-tree-rewards-website-marketing/#commentsWed, 16 Jan 2013 18:33:12 +0000Outstanding Inkhttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/?p=379I was really excited to work with Free Tree Rewards. They were introducing a cool new concept in online shopping, where small online boutiques share virtual shelf-space and allow shoppers to use their accumulated Customer Loyalty points to shop at any of the stores (not just the one they earned their points at).

I knew I wasn’t the only person who had a million reward program cards gathering dust in my wallet, and I wanted to help bring exposure to this cool new concept with some killer copy!

Besides pitch letters to boutique owners as well as press contact, I wrote this straight-forward copy for users who visited the Free Tree Rewards website to give them a clear, concise picture of how the program worked.

Say goodbye to unused rewards points! See how easy it is to turn your accumulated points into free goods…

BUY
Get excited about shopping again with the Free Tree Rewards program!
- Earn points with every purchase from a Free Tree Rewards partner shop
- No limit to the number of points earned & points never expire
- Different earning levels allow you to bank your points until you are ready to redeem them

Find out how Free Tree Rewards makes it easy to earn MORE customer rewards than other loyalty programs…

REDEEM
Free Tree Rewards make your shopping dollars go further!
- Redeem accumulated points for more goods
- Use your points in ANY participating boutique, not just the one you earned them from
- Shop within a community of eclectic, independently-owned specialty boutiques

See how Free Tree Rewards puts the power back in your hands by letting you choose where you spend your earned points….

I knew this would be a fun project to work on, because I would be able to play on the gardening/growing aspect and tie it back to the site launch.

I put together some content for the splash page and the various info pages, which showed the step-by-step approach for potential customers.

INDEX PAGE

Whether you’re a newbie or a novice when it comes to gardening, you can enjoy the benefits of an organic lifestyle, no matter how green your thumb is.

It doesn’t get more local than produce grown in your own vegetable patch. Joe will show you how easy it is to deliver fresh organic produce straight from your own private backyard farm directly to your family’s kitchen table.

If your goal is to shop locally while maintaining a more organic lifestyle, let The Organic Backyard show you, in four easy steps, how you can grow enough fresh veggies to feed your entire family.

ABOUT

With an enthusiasm for gardening firmly planted within Joe as far back as childhood, it wasn’t long before this budding farmer’s passion began to thrive.

By enthusiastically cultivating these first seeds of inspiration, and combining this drive with his passion for organic gardening, Joe is now flexing his green thumb in an exciting and innovative way that benefits the community at large.

With a degree in Plant Biology and a Landscape Design Certificate, Joe is a first-class resource, ready to teach your family the benefits of owning your own organic farm.

Utilizing his knowledge of plants, soil science, and organic growing methods, Farmer Joe’s customized four-step approach to creating, implementing, maintaining and enjoying an organic lifestyle will have you harvesting your own crop of healthful produce – right from your own backyard.

PLAN

It takes more than seeds and soil to make your garden grow, and Farmer Joe has a personalized plan built exclusively to suit your individual tastes.

Whether you’ve got a plot of land or just a patch, Joe will schedule a personal consultation to survey your space and suggest the best sunlit place to plant your produce. After picking the spot, and arming himself with a comprehensive list of your family’s needs, your favorite veggies, and what will grow best in your area, Joe will put your new organic plan into action.

Now that Farmer Joe has laid the groundwork for your future backyard garden, it’s time to start building it.

By constructing one or more weather-resistant, raised cedar beds, which can last from 15 to 20 years, Joe’s construction offers optimum drainage, a natural barrier to pests, and will give your garden a first-rate foundation from which to flourish.

Using compost-rich soils and organic fertilizers, which are included in the cost of setting up your beds, your garden will begin to develop in nutrient-rich soil that is equal to that of years spent working and preparing the soil for growing.

Ready for Step Three? You’ve sown the seeds of your own backyard farm – now it’s time to watch them GROW!

GROW

Not ready to get elbow-deep in dirt? Let Farmer Joe tend to your crops and bring the bounty of nature straight to your table in a basket ripe for the picking!

With weekly visits to weed, prune, plant and maintain your backyard farm, Joe will utilize his horticultural background to ensure that your crop will be wholesome and plentiful.

Throughout the growing season, Joe will also provide his support to you through reminder e-mails, tips and answers to your personal gardening questions, so you can learn how to care for and cultivate the best from your backyard farm.

Ready for Step Four? Now that all the hard work is done, it’s time to sit back and ENJOY the fruits of your (and Joe’s!) labor.

ENJOY

It doesn’t get more local than growing produce in your own backyard farm. With a plentiful basket of ripe vegetables to enjoy, your family can rest assured, knowing exactly where your food comes from.

Instead of driving to the local market, your family can feel a sense of pride in generating your own source of fresh, organic produce. And best of all, your efforts will reduce your impact on the environment by both growing local, pesticide-free vegetables and supporting Farmer Joe’s exciting new concept in the organic food movement.

Nothing is more important than the health of your family. With Joe’s friendly and informed guidance, your own passion for homegrown organic vegetables will develop into a zest for life and nature that will benefit your family and your community.

]]>http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/organic-backyard-website-marketing/feed/0The Switchboards – Company Profilehttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/the-switchboards-company-profile/
http://outstandingink.com/wordpress/the-switchboards-company-profile/#commentsWed, 16 Jan 2013 06:04:50 +0000Outstanding Inkhttp://outstandingink.com/wordpress/?p=359As a long-time member of The Switchboards, I was more than thrilled when new owner Caitlin Thompson came to me looking for a new profile to go with the revamp of the website.

One of the premier social site for indie business ladies, I knew I wanted to craft a profile that had a funky edge and showcased the spirit of the site which had helped me along the way during my crafting and entrepreneurial days.

Welcome to The Switchboards!

Founded in 2004 by Leah Pearlman of Uplifting Arts and Vanessa Brady of Gerbera Designs, and now run by VelAwesome Raptor Labs’ Caitlin Thompson, The Switchboards is one of the premiere online resources for creative female entrepreneurs.

But don’t let our x-chromosomes fool you. When it comes to our crafty enterprises, we are DIY’ing it – and we mean business!

It Takes A Village
No woman is an island and TSB offers a virtual gathering place to talk shop, share ideas, encourage others and learn, build and grow your crafter-preneurial spirit.

Gathering around the watercooler is so ’90′s. With photo galleries of crafty creations and projects-in-progress, informative articles and tutorials, and an extensive message forum where you can get the inside scoop from other indie business ladies making a go of it in the marketplace, TSB is a virtual hub of tech, business and craft-savvy women who are changing the face of the business world – all with a dash of sass!

Who (Really) Wears The Pants
Size doesn’t really matter (at least when it comes to your business). Large, small and somewhere in-between, Switchboarders have proven that all that matters is the measure of your ambition.

Are you an upstart looking for inspiration? An established entrepreneur (we would never call you old) looking for a few new tricks? The Switchboards has something to benefit everyone.

Hear Us Roar!
Sure, some of us stitch, and sometimes, we may bitch. But we also craft, create and champion our fellow business women in a creativity-fueled environment. Not a member yet? WE WANT YOU!